The eight-day long “operation silence” has ended with the death of Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi, and his 70 aides in addition to 8 security troops, including a lt. colonel and a captain.

Contrary to his “hardline” brother, Maulana Abdul Aziz, who was arrested while trying to flee in Burqa on the second day of operation, Maulana Ghazi refused to surrender and fought till last bullet.

The 80-year old mother of Maulana Ghazi was also killed in the operation, however security forces claimed that she died due to suffocation.

Though, the operation is over, mystery still shrouds the breakdown of talks between an Ulema delegation, and Maulana Ghazi that led to bloodshed.

Qari Hanif Jalahindari, one of the members of four-member Ulema delegation which was supposed to meet Mr. Ghazi on Tuesday morning to negotiate says that the two sides were almost reached at an agreement.

“ We had suggested that Maulana Ghazi will surrender and he will be shifted to his hometown with his family. Later, A judicial inquiry would be initiated against him, and if he was found guilty, he would have been arrested”, Qari Hanif told newsmen.

Mr. Ghazi had also agreed to hand over 15 wanted militants to the government, he said.

“ Our suggestion was welcomed by the two sides. But when the draft of the proposed agreement was sent to President House, it amended that, which was not acceptable to Maulana Ghazi”, he said.

He said that President House amended the draft asking Maulana Ghazi to surrender and hand over 50 wanted people to the government instead of 15. The amendment was turned down by Mr. Ghazi, he said.

“ General Musharraf has been under immense pressure from his close aides after death of Lt Colonel Haroon (killed during Sunday’s operation)”, a government official said wishing not to be named. He was also under immense pressure from the United States to prove that he does not in any way giving Leverage to Islamic Fundamentalists.

Here are some questions

1) Who is responsible for the Red Mosque carnage?

2) Could the issue have been resolved through talks?

3) Ulema blame Musharraf for failure of talks. What do you think?

4) Will Red Mosque bloodshed fan the religious extremism in the country and are Govt claims regarding casualty`s true as Journalists are not allowed in or near the Hospitals?

5) Has the Red Mosque operation turned Ghazi into a hero instead of a villain?

Reader Comments:

Red Mosque Operation

There is no doubt that this kind of operation is a shameful operation in any countries history and its effects are felt for a long time to come. If this problem could been solved without any casualties it would have been better but it did not work that way.Now lets look at the questions
1.I think clerics at Lal masjid are at fault for this carnage. Masjid and Madrsa are suppose to be a natural ground where violence is not taught and not tolerated. Then why these clerics were having machine guns and harboring terrorists. I think government gave them enough options and time to surrender but they chose to fight.
2. Tis issue could have been solved ny talks if these illetrated clerics understand what is at risk. Most of them do not even understand what Martydom is. What Mr. Ghazi did is murder suicide. There is no room in heaven for murder or suicide.
3.To defend Mr. Musharaf I think he tried every possible human way to make these people understand that terrorisam will not be tolerated. If Mr.ghazi would have surrender along with other hardened criminals it would have been a peace ful event. Mr. Ghazi knew he will be hanged after the trial so him and his croonies chose the path of destruction.
4. Extremism is already out of hand in Pakistan. If any thing this should be a lesson for other extremist that government of Pakistan means what it says.Parents needs to teach their kids about islam and diffrence between following the religion and going way out to exterme. While government has the upper hand now they should ban all extreme parties.
5.Mr Ghazi is not a hero he is responsible for all the innocent people killed in ths shoot out. Real heros are the military persnal who got killed because their commander order them to a operation. They took the pledge of uniform to the heart and did what needs to be done. If Mr Ghazi wanted to be a hero he should have let every one else out of the masjid and then fight by himself. Hodling women and children as shield is not bravery but cowardness in my book. My stymphty to the families of those who got killed and may Allah bless the soul of departed.

Vinod, United Kingdom - 11 July, 2007

Let war on Mullahs continue

Great job Pakistan, now please kill the remaining anti Pakistan snakes with beards pretending to be religious leaders.

they only lead the illiterate, ignorant and are full of hatred for Pakistan.

These people should be confronted now in a final battle for the soul of Pakistan.

Good job Musharraf, I have respect for you once again. I was mad at musharraf for not moving earlier, now I am pleased he finally moved.

I salute the brave soldiers of Pakistan for their great sacrifice. You are the true and only Shaeed, those terrorists will go to hell. I hope MMA follows them to hell.

Nadeem Shah, United Kingdom - 11 July, 2007

Vinod.

First mr ghazi had his masters and as an anti muslim you keep your moronic shivalingham worshiping brian in check.As Muslims in Pakistani grieve over the murderous events that killed over 1000 students and the Deputy Chief Ghazi Abdul Rasheed at Lala Mosque yesterday, the propaganda is rife. Moreover, US President Bush has lauded Musharafs brutal siege as a victory in the “war on terror” and mainstream media is talking up all the alleged Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants who were killed inside. These are all blantant, ruthless lies aimed at terrorizing Muslims who practice their deen and an American effort to assist the puppet Musharaaf who is losing control of Pakistan to regain his authority and show he is “tough on terror”. This is the defining moment for Pakistan. The War that was ignited by US across the western border has raged to the very heart of Pakistani society.May allah bless them.May allah curse this munafiq army traitors.Oh Pakistani nation! Rise up and overthrow this apostate who has rebelled against the Allah’s commands.

Oh Pakistani Ulema! Come forwards and join hands with the innocents of Lal Mosque and shed your fear of this tyrant.

Oh Pakistani Youth! Rise up and prepare for Jihad against the great evil, the United States and her client the Musharraf regime that is worst hypocrite on the face of this earth.

Oh Allah! Grant help to the oppressed women and children who are being slaughtered in your cause by the munafiqeen forces.

Oh Allah! Destroy this evil army and replace it with the believers, and strengthen the hands of Mujahideen to strike them hard.

May Allah destroy all those forces of Munafiqeen who have supported this tyrant regime overtly and covertly through their reporting in the media and their evil designs.
Pakistan zinndaabadd.

saladeen rumi, United Kingdom - 12 July, 2007

Lal Masjid

I think they did not do anything according to Islam and the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It reflects very bad image of muslims around the globe. Because of few extremists, the religion has to suffer.

Farooq, Aruba - 12 July, 2007

It is sad yet disciplinery act

It is like a sad mishap within a family and it does'nt need pointing blame fingers on any body.

Pakistan's geo strategy puts immense stress on the governances,which requires moving along with majority world at one hand and it also requires keeping some traditional ways not getting extremist type shape of conduct.

Opinions can be made to have peaceful and arms free co-existense.Things have sad consequences when people start taking up very deadly weapons to force their ways.

Then,it is not that easy situation as Pakistan's north west was fully exploited in the culmination of one sole super power at the expense of downing the other. Allegiances were made for people to lay down their lives to precipitate the world's power prowess into one sole super power.There was neglect of making some faithful forgetable.

But,sadly enough,some one did'nt want to bow down after playing the key role in Afghan-Russo war and making of America as the sole super power.

So,problems and difficulties were expected like in all time past historical changes of that magnitudes and dimensions.Sad things like this one have happened in Pakistan too. The situation would have been uncontrollably bad if the Pak army was not there to pacify explosive situations into controlled carnage.

THIS CARNAGE IS NOTHING COMPARED TO SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN OR IRAQ. PAK MILITARY AND MUSHARRAF HAVE MANAGED THINGS WITH MINIMAL LOSS AND WITH RAPID OPERATIONS WITH CASUALTIES NO WORSE THAN A PLANE OR TRAIN CRASH.

YOU CAN HAVE ONE REGULATING AUTHORITY AND POWER THAT IS EFFECTIVE, STRONG, UNITED, DISCIPLINED AND RESULTS ORIENTED.PAK MILITARY AND MUSHARRAF HAVE PREVENTED A CONSTANT WAR LIKE SITUATION THAT WAS SEEN, THROUGHOUT HISTORY,IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD AFTER A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE COURSE OF HISTORY.

WE ARE NOT CELEBRATING THE DEFEAT OR VICTORY IN THIS CARNAGE.THE NATION IS SAD OVER THE DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND IS WONDERING HOW SUCH CARNAGE CAN BE AVOIDED IN FUTURE.THE NATION CAN HAVE ONLY ONE AUTHORITY INSTEAD OF SMALL ARMED GROUPS FORCING THEIR MINORITY WRIT IN SPORADIC AND SCATTERED LOCATIONS.

IN THE WEST,POLICE WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE WHOLE SITUATION AND WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED ACCUMULATION OF SO MANY WEAPONS WHERE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN.

EVEN IN BRITISH OR MOGHAL TIMES,ONLY NWFP TRIBAL AREAS COULD HAVE GUNS AND THEY WERE CONFINED TO THEIR AUTONOMOUS TERRITORIES WITH NO ARMED INTERVENTION WITH MAJORITY MAIN STREAM PEOPLE. THESE TRIBALS OF NWFP FOUGHT THEIR INTER FEUDS,BLOODY OR NOT,AND LIVED WITH THEIR SELF CREATED CONSEQUENCES.

PAKISTAN HAS THE ULTIMATE POWER AND THAT IS PAK ARMY, WHICH IS DISCIPLINED, UNITED AND VERY STRONG.THE POLICE SIMPLY COULD NOT HANDLE THE SITUATION,WHICH IS CULMINATION OF VERY BIG EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE 20 YEARS OR SO AGO AND LASTED FOR OVER A DECADE.

AS THE PAK TRIBUNE POLL CONCLUDES,THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN WANT ONE AUTHORITY TO HANDLE AND CONTROL THINGS THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FALL OF SOVIET EMPIRE WITH PRECIPITATION OF US AS SOLE SUPER POWER.

ANY GROUP OR NUMBER OF GROUPS STILL NEED THE NATION'S CONSENT TO LET THINGS HAPPEN.I THINK AND AS I HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT THE ULTIMATE POWER AND AUTHORITY,WHICH IS PAK MILITARY,WILL AND CAN PERFORM OPERATIONS FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTRY.

SOME MILITARY OPERATIONS WILL BRING GRIEF AND SADNESS,BUT IT IS BETTER THAN HAVING MULTI POWER AUTHORITIES IMPOSING THEIR OWN WILL ON THE PEOPLE.

SOME EVENTS IN PAKISTAN ARE BEYOND POLICE POWER TO CONTROL.IF THE POWER GROUPS WERE NOT HEAVILY ARMED,THE POLICE COULD MANAGE.

THE PAK GOVERNANCE IS NOW DESCRIBED AT MANY PLACES AS THE TOUGHEST JOB FOR ANY BODY TO RULE AND GOVERN.

EVEN IN AMERICA AND CANADA, PEOPLE GET SHOT IF THEY POINT WEAPONS ON POLICE.IN PAKISTAN,IN SOME ODD CASES, THINGS HAVE GONE WAY BEYOND THE SCOPE OF POLICE AUTHORITY.THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE TO CALL IN THE ULTIMATE POWER AND AUTHORITY,WHICH IS PAK ARMY.

FOR LAW AND ORDER MAINTENANCE,IT BECOMES IMPERATIVE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN TO SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATE WITH OUR MILITARY AS THEY ARE THE ULTIMATE POWER.

THE CARNAGE HAS ENDED SADLY AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS STAND OFF.BUT,THE POWER GROUPS WON'T GAIN ANY THING BY TAKING UP ARMS AGAINST THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY, WHICH IS PAK ARMY.

EVEN WITH SADNESS ABOUT THE CARNAGE,THERE IS SANGUINE FEELIGS THAT THE WORLD REVERBERATING NEWS OF LAL MASJID HAS BEEN SWIFTLY GOT UNDER CONTROL BY OUR VERY CAPABLE MILITARY. PAK ARMY HAS EFFECTIVELY DIFFUSED AND CONTROLLED AN ENORMOUSLY EXPLOSIVE ISSUE WITH MINIMAL LOSS OF LIFE TO MAKE IT LOOK NO WORSE THAN A RAIL OR PLANE CRASH.THE CASUALTY FIGURES ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN A TRAIN OR PLANE CRASH.

MUSHARRAF AND THE PAK ARMY HAVE SHOWN TREMENDOUS CAPABILITY BY RESOLVING A WORLD CLASS DANGER BY MAKING IT LOOK LIKE NO MORE THAN A PLANE OR TRAIN CRASH.

CERTAINLY, PEOPLER ARE SAD ON UN-NECESSARY BLEEDING WITHIN PAK FAMILY.

LET US PREVENT THEM MISHAPS IN FUTURE.

Anwar Mahmood, Canada - 12 July, 2007

Lal Masjid Tragedy

It is with shame & regret that the 'LAL MASJID TRAGEDY' has occured in
the
so called 'ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN' and
its capital 'ISLAMABAD', it is A SHAME that this country proclaim
itself 'ISLAMIC' and have named its capital as 'ISLAMABAD' whereas
the streets are filled with 'Whore House', 'Massage
Centers', 'Pronographic Material Shops' and the so called ISLAMIC
STATE would not mind anything, on the contrary the leaders and
administrators of this ISLAMIC nation are a part of this evil. The
so called ISLAMABAD which means 'Place inhabited by Muslims' is the
epi-center of the friends and co-ordinators of the fascist regimes
of the world. The leader of this Islamic state have never tried to
get rid of the evils in the society and when someone did, they
Killed them in cold blood and believed that they are TRUE BELIEVERS
and have done the RIGHT thing ???? At one stage they claim that the
actions by the Madrasa & Lalmasjid is wrong and created a bad
example to others about Islam, it is SHAME that this same people
have killed their own brothers & sisters and are now celebrating.
Have they all forgot that their is 'ONE' the most powerful and
omnipotent who is watching us and is close to the hearts of the
people of both the sides ? Have we all forget that this is not the
end of the world and the truth will prevail ? It is good to take
sides on personal reasons but it is SHAME that we give importance to
our personal pleasure over the Islamic values that too being the
citizen and part of the so called 'ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN ??
SHAME ON YOU GUYS - IT IS NEEDED THAT YOU SEARCH YOUR SOUL TO FIND
OUT WHO IS WRONG AND WHO IS NOT. If the Government is right, what
action have they taken so far to get rid of the evils of society, a
society that is famous for the most CORRUPT people, a society that
is famous for its internal bias and clashes, a society & government
that helps the fascists to kill their own brothers on their own
homeland, if it is not a SHAME then what it is ??

Congratutlations to the families of the brothers & sisters who have
attained 'SHAHADAT', Insha Allah you will see them in the best abode
and the highest ranks on the day of judgement.

The world hasn't ended yesterday and will not end today, the HAQ
(Truth) will prevail and Allah willing those who have rejoiced the
killing of their brothers & sisters today will see the moment (Insha
Allah) where Allah (swt) will guide their TRUE believers to the
victory. But the victory will come with a price, while cleansing
the evil and during the process we might loose some great people
like 'ABDUL RASHEED GHAZI' Ramthullah Allaih - May Allah (swt) bless
him with the best place hereafter and may Allah (swt) give him and
his followers the neighbourhood of Prophet (saws) - Aaameen. These
were the people who have tried with their heart to get rid of evils
so that Allah (swt) have mercy on us and our Prophet (saws) will be
pleased to note that the Ummah is going in the right path and proud
that their exist people who have fought against the evil and
attained SHADAT just for the cause of cleansing the evil from the
Ummah. But SHAME very few people are realizing it.

May Allah (swt) guide us all in the true path, the path that He has
chosen and not the path that WE want - Aameen.

"O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one
with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of
ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful."
(Surah Al Hujraat 49:6)

Allah (swt) knows the best...

sidra gul", Pakistan - 12 July, 2007

The Brutal Govt

the brutal govt had showed his atrocities and dictitorial attitude by killing the innocent and pious students and custodians of madrasa and red mosque. Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi Shaheed and his family were living a very simple life and their aim was to promote Quranic Education. Total children of their family members were also studying in the same madrasa. Those who have conducted the operation and are in favour of it are ignorant. I invite them to study Quran with translation.
Your`s sincerely

aqsaa mehmood, Pakistan - 12 July, 2007

Ghazi is an Islamic hero

Here are the answers:

1) That is what Ghazi was trying to do but Musharraf responded with bullets & bombs in the holy Red mosque.

2) Ulema is always right.

3) The Red mosque bloodshed has already united the Pakistani youth under the Ulema & Inshallah we shall fulfill the last wishes of Abdul Rashid Ghazi by responding with a massive wave of suicide bombings all over Musharraf ruled Pakistan.

4) Ghazi always was & Inshallah will remain a hero for Muslim youth around the world.

Mohd Younus, United Kingdom - 12 July, 2007

massacre

Massacre, Genocide or Democide at Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa

Pakistan Army murdered innocent children and women, dead bodies were humiliated, burnt and disfigured. Use extra ordinary force, choppers and surveillance sophisticated no man planes were used. Nerve gas was used and 72 hours have passed media or any independent agency is not allowed, reporters were removed from hospitals on gun point and barbed wire was drawn to keep out them, it is strongly believed that Army is omitting the signs of their brutalities.

No dead bodies of children and women were let come out side, some reporters informed that large size Army buses with curtains on windows have been used to hide dead bodies of children and women. Treatment to injured persons was not allowed, no private ambulance was allowed to pick injured and dead bodies. Mr. Edhi international fame social worker remained on the scene along with his ambulances but he was not allowed to enter. We are afraid that Army used incinerators to burn bodies particularly of those women and children to avoid reaction of the public. It is also believed that alive and injured peoples were killed by direct shooting.

Army ambulances were moving toward Rawalpindi neighboring city instead of Islamabad where all arrangements and emergency was declared, only a few armed Army personals who were injured were shifted to those hospitals. It was reported that injured were sent to Fauji Foundation Hospital a non-Governmental Hospital, which is under control of retired Army personals.

Supreme Court of Pakistan orders were ignored and invasion on women School and Mosque was started early in the morning to avoid further involvement of Supreme Court. Army Generals are already involved in humiliation to Chief Justice of Pakistan for which case is already in courts.

Unfortunately Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is impartial and its officials have been affiliated with a particular political group, and are belongs to other sects and they handle cases on sectarian and political liking disliking basis. Asma Jahangir Chairman of HRCP belongs to Ahmadi faith and Iqbal Haider belongs to Shia faith and ex activist of Pakistan Peoples Party, whose leader Benazir Bhutto is supporting Musharraf Government due to her political and religious beliefs where as victims belongs to other sect. More over a large number of students belongs to Pushtoon ethnic back ground, which are under genocide since long on the name of war on terror. Pakistan Army killed hundred of peoples which belong to a particular faith and ethnic group.

Actions of Pakistan Army are against any Human Rights charter or convention including Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, Arab Charter on Human Rights, and Universal declaration of Human Rights.

Following peoples are involved in massacre, genocide or democide; those peoples may please be tried for the violation of following articles of Human Rights.

A certain race, creed, or group is denied recognition as a "person". (Articles 2 & 6)

Different racial or religious groups are not treated as equal. (Article 2)

Life, liberty or security of person is threatened. (Article 3)

Cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment is used on a person (such as torture or execution). (Article 5)

Victims of abuse are denied an effective judicial remedy. (Article 8)

Punishments are dealt arbitrarily or unilaterally, without a proper and fair trial. (Article 11)

Arbitrary interference into personal or private lives by agents of the state. (Article 12)

Citizens are forbidden to leave or return to their country. (Article 13)

Freedom of speech or religion is denied. (Articles 18 & 19)

Genocide is the mass killing of a population of people as defined by Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG) as "any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life, calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; and forcibly transferring children of the group to another

International Professor, Pakistan - 12 July, 2007

Shame

MMA is quick to hold the President responsible for the Lal Masjid issue. None of them is taking responsibility for the actions of the residents of the Masjid. If the occupants were students then what was the large cache of weapons doing in the mosque? What makes them believe that they can take the law into their hands and start abducting the people who supposedly were involved in immoral acts?

The process of peace was not broken by the government but by the terrorist inside the mosque. A lesson to those who have not figured it out yet, if you want to bring about a change in your country do it from the inside. Join the political process. Prove to the people that you are the right candidate and make laws to better the country.

Oh, people of Pakistan, the world is watching you. You say that you are willing to die for your religion how come you don’t say you want to live for your religion? Why don’t you want to show the world that you are happy with your own existence? Why don’t you want show the world that we can all co exists the way it was taught to us by our dear Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (P.B.U.H)

SHR Tirmizi, United Kingdom - 12 July, 2007

Lets ask questions !

The eight-day long “Operation Silence” has ended with the death of Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi, and his 70 aides in addition to 8 security troops, including a Lt. colonel and a Capt. To the families who lost a loved one, regardless of which side of the operation they were on
I wish them Peace and Patience to see them through a very difficult time!
In the words of the ISPR spoke person, a Maj. Gen. Arshad Waheed the seminary students and others in the mosque were not only well equipped with weapons, they also were well trained and fought hard. This leads me to the obvious question...How could such weaponary be amassed into the confines of the mosque, especially in the capital of Pakistan, just down the road from the ISI offices..How could this happen! Regardless of all the Western pressure that Musharraf is feeling, his intellegence agencies have seriously let him down, to the extent that I would ask if there was some deliberateness about this entire fiasco. If this was not an abject failure on it's part then it would seem, arguably that the ISI may still have Jihadist sympathisers and if that is so, then what is Musharraf to do about it? Coupled with the Red Mosque fiasco, the alleged rounds fired at Musharraf's plane as it took off, again in the capital city, only fortifies the theory behind ISI complicity. Finally it leads me to wonder if perhaps, there is a faction of the military waiting in the wings to mount yet another coup, one to rid the country of Musharraf and two, attempt to bring about some civilian leadership into place. Theoritically, all this would happen with the assistance and blessing of Western powers. In their view, Musharraf may have become a liability. All together, Pakistan is going through, probably the most critical period in it's history. With all the fractious influences within Pakistan, from the BLA to the AL Qaida to the Jihadists, not to mention the outside mechanism of RAW, the Afghan intellegence and the Iranians,
Pakistan has to very carefully tread through this period, carefully manuevering through this minefield of disaster, and if not, then it could possibly end up losing it's sovereignity and national identity. Operation Silence and the like, outside of clearing the Red Mosque compounds of radical seminarians, should evoke calls for the analysis and examination of the total failure that the ISI has been. Furthermore, this should give Musharraf (if he is still there)reason and purpose to further clean house at the ISI and any of the other agencies, if found complicit in any way! Finally, the religious right, which, by their behaviour towards others clearly look like a Muslim version of the Christian Right, here, needs to decide if they are going to work towards the preservation of Pakistan or the piecing of Pakistan. Beyond acquiring political power, the religious group has really been only a mouth piece for the Jihadists and done more harm to the country. We all know, too well about the mischief that the Maulanas have done, from being pedophiles to abusing their positions in other areas. Perhaps it is time for the Pakistani legislature to seriously consider separation of church(in this case mosque) and state. What you have now is not working, More than anything, education of and for the masses. stretching from cities to every village in Pakistan needs to be a major priority. That is not to discount religious education. Pakistan cannot continue to exist successfully, with just Islamic education. Self reliance, self identity and equality amongst it's citizens, male and female should be the cornerstone of some form of democracy in Pakistan, if it is to survive today and flourish tomorrow!

Intrepid, United Kingdom - 12 July, 2007

Neo-Fundamentalists al-Qaeda Tribalism

...by eager Talebanisation of Pakistan's Western border!
One of the ideologues of the mosque, Ume Hassan, Aziz' wife, was arrested with her daughter Asma and 30 hardcore members of the Women's Brigade of Lal Masjid.

The storming of the mosque is the first seizure of Taliban assets in Pakistan and is certain to have a strong ripple effect throughout the country as the mosque has strong links with jihadis and the Pakistani Taliban in the tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan.

Although the offensive in Pakistan's federal capital - which has captured international headlines - is finally playing out, one question remains. Who is the real director of the drama?

Observers and analysts believe there might be several - one running the show separately in Lal Masjid, and others pulling strings from the outside. If so, there can be no clean, simple end to the saga.

The next episode has already begun in Batkhaila, North West Frontier Province, where the pro-Taliban Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Moham has clashed with the military and seized all highways in the area, including on the Silk Road leading to China.

It is only a matter of time before the US-led "war on terror" formally crosses the Pakistani border.

SALAAM (you untold Black Widows)

Shokat Saleem, Georgia - 12 July, 2007

Beginning of another bloody saga.

Mullahs Aziz,Rashid & their father were patronized by Ayub Khan,Zia Ul Haq and then
by Influential elements in present government.Musarraf & his cohorts knew long time ago what was going on inside these medrussas but for selfish reasons ignored it. Mullahs dug their own graves when they abducted chinese women in Islamabad. I think General got clear cut message from PEKING- clear the mess or ---.Sad that it had to end this way.Irony is that thugs of MQM are roaming the street of Karachi without
any remorse. The killing on May 12 has been forgotten. A new bloody chapter in the history of Pakistan has opened
No matter whose fault it was, the saga of bloodshed will continue.When you don't enforce law and use law selectively, the end result is
lawlessness.

Alamsher K. Wazir, United Kingdom - 12 July, 2007

Ulemas or hardened terrorists in the name of Islam

There is a hadees of the holy Prophet that the time will come in my ummat that the Ulema will be the worst Makhluq(people) and this the fulfilling of those hadees. Ghazi was not a true follower of prophet Muhammad.Carrying ammunitions and guns inside the mosque was a criminal act, and ghazi paid for his criminal act and died as a criminal. Pervaiz Musharaff must get rid of pakistani society of more such false ulemas

MUNEER, United Kingdom - 13 July, 2007

Causes suppressed !

Lal Masjid demanded implementation of islamic laws, and brought to lime light some specimens of unislamic culture flourishing in the heart of capital of Islamic Repubic of Pakistan - right under the nose of active state administration. No action, no statement, no promise, no indication of any will, came up from any of the elites ruling the muslim umma and muslim country. We need pondering with our head sunk into bossom which way the nation is being drafted to?.

zahid, Pakistan - 13 July, 2007

saladeen rumi, United States of America

Lot of outburst againt Vinod.
You practice Islam with AK47 or whatever you wish. When it creates trouble for others, the effected people will definitely have some say in the matter.
Pak Govt. has really committed a blunder. The establishment and its working methods ( Hate , Arms training, creating vast pool of ineffective people with crazy affinity towards war & violence) in the Mosque was prevalent for long period of time. If Govt. thinks that they can get rid of it within couple of days, then it is absolutely wrong. I wonder, one threating call from Beijing and Pak Govt. started working in such a haste!!!!

Nikus, Hungary - 13 July, 2007

wake up call

Those who say that pak army action was not against terrorists are anti Pakistan elements.Learn some lessons from India how they behave and look at us.Why we do not spend our energies on the development of charchters and our country(dear Pakistan).After all, Pakistani society is a violent society.I feel shame as a Pakistani.Fight,blame each other, kill,and put bombs those are the qualities of our society. Pakistan will be a failed state if mullahs come into power. I assure you my country men.Learn some lessons from your past;

Arshad, Pakistan - 13 July, 2007

Innoncent people shaheed

only Ghazi is to blame for women and children being killed all int he name of Islam.
if Ghazi and his posse wanted martyerdom they should have come out instead of hiding themselves among women and children.Ghazi is the person who gave fatwa that we should not perform funeral prayers for Pakistani soldiers being killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan that is like calling a Muslim Kafir.
995. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The believer who recites the Qur'an is like a citron whose fragrance is sweet and whose taste is delicious. A believer who does not recite the Qur'an is like a date-fruit which has no fragrance but has a sweet taste. The hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is like a colocynth whose fragrance is so sweet, but its taste is bitter. The hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'an is like basil which has no fragrance and its taste is bitter.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Amir, Canada - 13 July, 2007

people praising suicide bombings

people who are outside of Pakistan that praise suicide bombings in Pakistan should be ashamed of themselves.how can you enjoy and indulge in security of Kafirs.
you people lack even the lowest level of Imaan which is feeling bad...you can't even feel bad...what if your mother or sister or brother was where the suicide bombing took place would you be happy?
how can you expect to go to heaven for killing an innoncent Muslim;there is only one destination and its hell

Revolution

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